Introduction to Fukui Prefecture
Fukui Prefecture is rich in nature, surrounded by oceans and mountains, and is famous for scenic spots such as Tojinbo and Mikata Goko (Five Lakes of Mikata). It is a fascinating place where historical background and beautiful nature are in harmony. Fukui’s distinctive tourist attractions, local cuisine, and seasonal scenery offer pleasant surprises and excitement to visitors.
Geographic location
Fukui Prefecture faces the Sea of Japan and is bordered by Ishikawa, Gifu, Shiga, and Kyoto prefectures. Bordered by the Kinome Pass, the northern part is called Reinan and the southern part Reinan. The prefectural capital is Fukui City. The beautiful coastline and mountains are a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor travelers.
History & Culture
Fukui Prefecture is a dinosaur kingdom
Fukui Prefecture is known as the “Dinosaur Kingdom,” and almost 80% of all dinosaurs found in Japan have been discovered here. 5 new species of dinosaur fossils have been found since 1982, including a fossil of an alligator from the Early Cretaceous period, and many dinosaurs named “Fukui” such as “Fukuisaurus,” “Fukuiraptor” and “Fukui Benator. There are a large number of them. The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is located in Katsuyama City, where the largest dinosaur fossil excavation site in Japan is located, and is regarded as one of the three major dinosaur museums in the world. The museum displays 50 dinosaur skeletons, 10 of which are actual bones.
Fukui Prefecture is the largest producer of eyeglasses in Japan
Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, is one of the world’s three largest producers of eyeglasses, producing about 95% of all Japanese eyeglass frames. Eyeglass production started more than 100 years ago, and because of the lack of local industry, Gozaemon Masunaga, the “founder of domestic glasses”, invited craftsmen and popularized it as a side job for farmers. 1981 saw the development and production of the world’s first light and strong titanium eyeglasses, and Fukui’s eyeglasses have attracted international attention for their high quality. Fukui’s glasses have attracted attention internationally for their high quality.
Tourist attraction
Fukui has many tourist attractions that are well worth a visit.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is located in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, and is known as one of the largest museums in Japan dedicated to dinosaurs. The museum is one of the largest of its kind in the world and exhibits more than 1,000 specimens, including 44 dinosaur whole skeletons excavated in Katsuyama City, as well as large reconstructed diorama images. These are valuable materials that have attracted attention from around the world, and the museum will reopen on July 14, 2023, with 50 more skeletons on display, including large theropods and ornithopods representative of Asia. As one of Fukui Prefecture’s representative tourist attractions, the Dinosaur Museum offers many things for visitors to enjoy.
Tojinbo
“Tojinbo” is a large-scale, 1-km-long columnar jointed rock formation, and is one of the “world’s three great wonders” for its spectacular scenery. This rare natural phenomenon is designated as a “national natural monument” and one of the “100 best geological features in Japan,” and is famous worldwide as a rare and unusual rock formation. It is also known for its beautiful sunsets and has been selected as one of the “100 Best Sunsets in Japan. It is also noted as a place where one can observe the “green flash” seen when the sun sets over the horizon. To keep tourists happy, various businesses offer a wide variety of services, and the view of the sea from the cliff edge and Tojinbo from the sea or the air is also very impressive. The rough waves of the Sea of Japan crashing against the more than 20-meter-high cliffs are a powerful sight, and a tour of nearby Ojima and other islands by sightseeing boat is recommended.
Shiba Masa World
Shibamasa World is a large theme park located in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan. In summer, one of the largest swimming pools in Japan opens, attracting many tourists from Kansai and Chukyo. The park also holds seasonal events such as marathons, and with an auto-camping site and indoor illumination, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the year. As a “theme park where visitors can enjoy the Sea of Japan and grass,” the park offers spectacular views and a variety of attractions, including about 50 screaming slides and the largest water resort on the Sea of Japan. Shibamasa World, founded in 1910 as a lawn sales business, has been attracting tourists as the largest theme park on the Sea of Japan side with a management strategy that emphasizes originality. As its catchphrase suggests, the park is a place to play with nature, providing smiles and excitement, while at the same time placing importance on coexistence with the local community.
Nihonkai Sakana Machi
The “Nihonkai Sakana Machi” is a huge seafood market located in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, with about 40 stores specializing in seafood, processed seafood, kelp, delicacies, and famous confections directly from Tsuruga Port, and 15 restaurants. The market still retains the atmosphere of the Showa period (1926-1989), with the lively voices of vendors echoing through the market, creating a traditional and nostalgic atmosphere. Here, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, including seafood rice bowls, sushi, grilled mackerel, and other gourmet treats, as well as enjoy picking out souvenirs.
Maruoka Castle
Maruoka Castle, the oldest existing castle tower in Japan, is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, built in 1576 by Katsutoyo Shibata, a nephew of Katsuie Shibata, during the Warring States Period. The castle tower has a two-story exterior and a three-story interior in the form of a freestanding watchtower, and the stone walls are built in the old style of “Nodara-zukuri. The area around the castle has been developed as “Kasumigajo Park,” a Japanese garden-style park, and is famous for its cherry blossoms. In spring, approximately 400 Someiyoshino cherry trees are in full bloom, creating a beautiful scene where the castle is enveloped in a haze.
Food culture
Fukui’s culinary culture is colored by fresh seafood and local specialties.
Echizen crab
Fukui is the home of snow crab, known as Echizen crab, and is a great place to enjoy fresh crab dishes. Echizen crabs landed at Fukui fishing ports are male snow crabs, while females are known as seiko crabs. Crab fishing has long been practiced in Fukui, and Echizen Fishing Port, Mikuni Port, Tsuruga Port, and Obama Port are known as landing ports for Echizen crabs.
Echizen Oroshi Soba
Widely popular in the Reinan region of Fukui Prefecture, Echizen Oroshi Soba is a local dish of cold soba noodles topped with grated daikon, shavings, and chopped green onions, and is commonly enjoyed even in winter. This traditional soba has a more than 400-year history in Fukui’s food culture.
Fukui Koshihikari
Koshihikari, produced in Fukui Prefecture, is one of Japan’s staple rice varieties. Koshihikari is characterized by its stickiness and sweetness when freshly cooked, and its grains have a firm texture. Koshihikari produced in Fukui Prefecture is expected to be of high quality because it is grown in an environment where the climate and soil are suited to Fukui Prefecture.
This rice is highly regarded throughout Japan and is used in a variety of dishes such as rice balls, sushi, and ochazuke (rice with green tea). Fukui Prefecture is well suited for rice production due in part to the abundance of delicious water. Locally produced Koshihikari rice has flavors and characteristics unique to the area.
Heshiko
“Heshiko” in Fukui Prefecture is a traditional preserved food made by pickling fish fillets and entrails in salt and drying them in the sun for several days or weeks. The salt and sunlight give the fish fillets and entrails a unique and flavorful taste. It is generally eaten as a side dish with rice or as a snack with sake. It is popular in the Hokuriku region, especially in Fukui Prefecture. Mackerel is the most famous fish, but it is also made from sardines, pufferfish, squid, and other fish.
Activities
Many activities can be enjoyed in Fukui.
Kubota Sake Brewery Tour
Brewing sake in a small town in Fukui Prefecture for over 260 years, Kubota Sake Brewery has recreated the legendary Echizen Toyohara sake of the Muromachi period, which began in Horeki 3 and was lost by order of the Echizen Maruoka feudal lord. In brewing sake, Kubota Sake Brewery places importance on three key factors: groundwater, in-house cultivated sake rice, and high-quality, stable koji molding. Brewing sake with local ingredients and respecting the local character of the region is an example of Kubota Sake Brewery’s commitment to true local sake.
Echizen Soba Dojo
Echizen Soba Dojo was first established in Japan by Shigenari Nakayama to pass down the Fukui specialty, grated buckwheat noodles, as part of the buckwheat food culture. Under the guidance of masters who learned from Shigenari Nakayama, visitors can try their hand at making soba while learning about the roots and benefits of grated soba. The basic fee is 6,000 yen for one set (one bowl), with an additional 1,500 yen/person for each additional person, and takes about 2 hours. Echizen Soba Dojo offers a chance to enjoy soba making with soba lovers, family, and friends.
Doki Doki Dinosaur Excavation Land
Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture is Japan’s leading dinosaur fossil excavation site, and visitors can experience excavation using tools with rocks brought from the excavation site. It is possible to find not only shellfish and plant fossils, but also dinosaur fossils, and it is exciting to see what kind of fossils you can find. This authentic experience is intended for ages 4 and up, and parents are recommended to participate with their children if they are younger than elementary school students. Katsuyama City boasts the largest number of dinosaur fossils excavated in Japan, and at Doki Doki Dinosaur Excavation Land, visitors can try their hand at fossil excavation by breaking open a stone from the Early Cretaceous Period, approximately 120 million years ago. Each person can take one fossil home with them, but those that are to be used for research purposes will be collected and registered with the museum.
Tree Picnic Adventure Ikebana
Located in the Shizuhara area of Ikeda Town, one of the largest adventure forests in Japan offers a variety of fascinating activities. The mega-zipline and Adventure Park offer a wealth of tree-touching and forest-hopping adventures, and in April 2023 a new “Coventure Park” area will open with no reservations and no height restrictions, offering a snake line, mushroom village, and more. The Adventure Park has also added a new “Junior Discovery Course” that can be enjoyed by visitors as young as 115 centimeters tall. Accommodations also vary, with log cabins, cabins, big cabins, tree tents, and tree houses available. Guests can take advantage of discounted rates for activities, but meals are not included; guests can use nearby restaurants or order barbecue separately.
Seasonal Recommendations
Fukui has four beautiful seasons, and there is something to enjoy in each season.
Spring
In Fukui Prefecture, cherry blossoms bloom from the end of March to the beginning of April. Famous cherry blossom spots include Ashibayama, selected as one of the best 100 cherry blossom viewing spots, Someiyoshino cherry trees at Maruoka Castle, and azaleas at Nishiyama Park in Sabae. The azaleas in Nishiyama Park are at their best around May and are known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Hokuriku. The ruins of the Ichijodani Asakura clan are also a popular tourist attraction, offering beautiful scenery during the cherry blossom and fresh green seasons. Heisenji Hakusan Shrine in Katsuyama is especially beautiful during the cherry blossom and fresh green seasons, with its moss-covered precincts and blanket of greenery creating a sense of serenity. Near this shrine is the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, which attracts many visitors. Especially during the Golden Week holidays, many tourists come to enjoy the beautiful nature and historical spots.
Summer
Summer in Fukui is the season for the sea, and Wakasa Wada Beach, a particularly noteworthy beach, is known for its beautiful Blue Flag certification. Beautiful beaches are scattered around the area, including Tsuruga’s Shojo Beach and Mizushima, which has the atmosphere of a tropical resort. Takasu and Mikuni Sunset Beach in northern Fukui are also popular spots. Tojinbo, a sightseeing spot in Fukui, is also a popular photography spot where visitors can enjoy the blue sea and precipitous cliffs. A sightseeing boat from Tojinbo offers a spectacular view. Driving along the Echizen-kaigan coast, visitors can enjoy the rugged rocky coastline on the Sea of Japan side. In June, when summer is in full swing, short-sleeved clothing is required, and in July, the sea opens and bathing can be enjoyed. In summer, festivals, fireworks displays, and other events are held throughout Fukui Prefecture, and delicious food can be enjoyed. As part of your summer trip, be sure to try some of Fukui’s culinary delights.
Autumn
Autumn is the season when beautiful autumn leaves can be enjoyed in Fukui, and many famous places are crowded with visitors. In particular, Kuzuryu Lake has been selected as one of the 100 best places for viewing autumn leaves in Japan, and the Kuzuryu Autumn Leaves Festival is held at the end of October, attracting many people. The area around Lake Kuzuryu and the Mikata Goko lakes in Reinan are also popular touring spots and known as beautiful autumn foliage driving courses. The Fukui Prefecture Nenzima Museum, located near the Mikatagoko Lakes, exhibits the “World’s Scale of Things,” which is a collection of Nenzima from the bottom of the Mikatagoko Lakes. Echizen Ono Castle is called the “castle in the sky,” and a particular highlight in November is when the castle floats above the clouds. Fukui in autumn is surrounded by colorful foliage, making it the perfect season to create heartwarming travel memories. while some days in September still have lingering summer heat, from October the weather becomes increasingly cooler, so it is recommended to bring light long sleeves or a jacket to prepare for the change in temperature.
Winter
Winter in Fukui is cold, with poor weather and lots of snow, but it is an enjoyable season for winter sports enthusiasts. In particular, Ski Jam Katsuyama is a large-scale ski resort equipped with an artificial snowfall machine that attracts many skiers from outside the prefecture. Winter is also the season for Echizen crab, and Echizen crab and Wakasa fugu can be enjoyed from November to around March. A tour of hot springs is also recommended during the cold season, and the famous Awara Onsen (hot springs) is located here. Around Echizen-kaigan, beautiful daffodils can be enjoyed in winter, and there are also historical spots and scenic spots. After winter sports, you can relax and heal in a hot spring and fully enjoy the charms of Fukui in winter.
Local Culture
Fukui’s culture is reflected in local festivals, traditional crafts and art.
Echizen Manzai
Echizen Manzai is one of the three major classical Manzai festivals in Japan and is designated as a national Intangible Folk Cultural Asset. The festival celebrates the New Year and wishes for prosperity, and is held annually on January 1 at Ajimano Shrine.
Traditional handicrafts
Fukui Prefecture is home to traditional crafts such as Echizen hammered blades, Echizen chests, Echizen pottery, Echizen lacquerware, Echizen washi paper, and Wakasa lacquered chopsticks. Among these, Echizen lacquerware has a history dating back about 1,500 years, and is currently known as a production center for food-related lacquerware, especially for commercial use. One geographical advantage is its proximity to Kyoto, where lacquer is produced in a humid environment.
Transportation
Access to Fukui is convenient and can be reached by Shinkansen bullet train or by air.
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Airplane
From major airports in Japan, take a flight to Komatsu Airport, served by ANA/JAL. From Haneda Airport, the flight takes about one hour.
Shinkansen
If you are traveling from Tokyo to Fukui, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa. You can experience a 2-hour and 30-minute Shinkansen trip. From Kanazawa, it takes about 45 minutes to Fukui Station by limited express Thunderbird/Shirasagi.
With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga in March 2024, it will be more accessible.
It takes about 2 hours from Osaka by limited express Thunderbird.
Lastly
Fukui is one of the prefectures worth visiting, a place where nature, history, gastronomy and culture are in harmony. We invite you to explore the charms of Fukui and enjoy a wonderful trip.